Plans to improve Michigan’s K‑12 schools depend on how the state funds public education

Michigan State University researchers examining state K-12 finance data find that despite frequent claims of record education funding, per-pupil revenue has not kept pace with inflation or with the state's changing student population. Per-pupil funding peaked in 2002 and fell roughly 23% by 2014, staying near that low through 2022 before partially recovering.

Meanwhile the share of economically disadvantaged students has passed 50%, students with disabilities need roughly $15,000 more each to serve, and English learners have nearly doubled — all groups the state's own funding collaborative says require substantially more resources than currently allocated.

The researchers note this matters heading into November elections for governor and all 148 legislative seats, where education funding promises will again be made against a backdrop of 360,000 fewer students and hundreds more districts than three decades ago.

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